SIU Closes Investigation into Motor Vehicle Injury Near Chatham-Kent

Other News Releases Related to Case 12-PVI-130

Witness Assistance

Mississauga (16 May, 2012) --- Based on the Special Investigations Unit’s (SIU) preliminary enquiries into the injuries sustained by a 29-year-old motorist near Chatham-Kent, SIU Director Ian Scott has terminated the investigation. The incident, involving an officer with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), occurred on May 10, 2012.

Shortly after midnight on this date, officers from the OPP and the Chatham-Kent Police Service responded to a call of a suspected stolen vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Highway 401. Between Bloomfield Road and Highway 40, the driver of the vehicle drove around a cruiser and rolled into a ditch. He was taken to Chatham-Kent Health Alliance for treatment.

Four investigators and two forensic investigators from the SIU probed the circumstances surrounding this incident. The preliminary investigation determined that the complainant had not sustained any serious injuries.

Given the Unit’s mandate, which is limited to serious injuries and deaths that may have resulted from criminal offences committed by police officers, there is nothing further to investigate. Accordingly, the SIU investigation has been terminated.

The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. Under the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU must

consider whether an officer has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation

depending on the evidence, lay a criminal charge against the officer if appropriate or close the file without any charges being laid